Are there too many games in the senior championship? - Martin Doherty

The Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure senior championship is down to the business end with the preliminary quarter-finals this weekend and it will be knock-out from here on.

And while there are different opinions on the present format, well-known pundit and former Naomh Conaill player and mentor, Martin Doherty, feels the format has proven to be successful.

“If you want to keep an interest until the last kick of the group stages then that’s the way it works out. It was the same last year. And then on Sunday last Dungloe came with a late flurry to finish ahead of St Eunan’s in 5th place and Kilcar did the same to finish 4th.

“You can’t scold about the interest. Are there too many games? Yes. And you also have county players going away and missing games.

“Every championship game should be important, but it’s not that way with this format,” said Doherty.

“Of the 16 teams starting four are in the relegation battle but the rest are still in the championship. There are a couple of teams in bonus territory.

“But as far as winning the Dr Maguire, the usual two are up there (Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s); Kilcar are putting themselves out there; St Michael’s are in the top four and that is huge  for them. But the loss of Michael Langan will knock them for six. They seem to have turned a corner from the league.

“Glenswilly will take beating while Four Masters have blown hot and cold. Dungloe have come out of the pack and proved their worth with three wins and losing narrowly in week 3. Gaoth Dobhair have not set the world alight after taking Eunan’s scalp while MacCumhaill’s are suffering personnel wise. They do have Oisin Gallen back but Bradley Walsh is a huge loss.”

The four preliminary quarter-finals take place this weekend and here is how Doherty sees them.

Dungloe v Downings

Falcarragh, Saturday, 2 pm

Dungloe are in a great place. Not many saw them finish ahead of St Eunan’s and Dessie Gallagher must be delighted. Maxi Curran in Downings will be happy with the draw too. 

“Dungloe have Dylan Sweeney and Conor Greene going well and Karl Magee is a good man marker with county man Mark Curran marshalling them from centre-half. This is a great chance for them

Downings will be happy with Dungloe, especially after curtailing St Eunan’s and they got a big result in Cloughaneely. They have Johnny McGroddy and Paddy McElwee and have shown they can battle.

“But based on what we have seen, I have to go for Dungloe.

Verdict: Dungloe 

St Eunans v Ardara

MacCumhaill Park, Sat. 7.30 pm

Being fair, Ardara are in bonus territory. They have drawn the short straw. The surprise was that Eunans finished 6th; after beating Naomh Conaill and Kilcar, that is hard to understand. I don’t think Eunans will mind going into a qualifier game. They have an array of talent.  The big question for  Barry Meehan, is will he start his best team or bring some on. Will Niall O’Donnell play? Ciaran Moore is flying and they are a force and they proved that against Naomh Conaill.

Ardara will be without Kevin Whyte and will be looking to the Molloys and of course Paddy McGrath and Classon. They have a mixture of experience and youth and have nothing to lose. They will try to hold tight for the first 15 and see how it goes. I expect Eunan’s to come out on top.

Verdict: St Eunan’s.

MacCumhailll’s v Gaoth Dobhair

Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 4 pm

“This is a repeat of last year’s semi-final when goals won the day for Gaoth Dobhair. MacCumhaill’s will relish another tilt. Gaoth Dobhair struggled at home to St. Michael’s.  Ethan Harkin didn’t register, Eamonn Collum got a point. It was not a normal day out, but they have championship pedigree.

“I was surprised that Oisin Gallen played against Glenswilly but I suppose they wanted him to get time on the pitch. He came through unscathed and they will want him on song to get over the line. Sean Martin is back and Luke Gavigan is there but Marty O’Reilly is a big loss. Can Gaoth Dobhair contain Gallen? There will be very little in it. Put on the spot, Gaoth Dobhair by a point or two.

Verdict: Gaoth Dobhair

Killybegs v Four Masters

Ardara, Sunday, 1 pm

“These two teams have had very indifferent championships. Four Masters have been hot and cold, started very well but disappointing against Ardara on Sunday. They will know they have to improve but will go in as favourites. They will have to get more from Seanán Carr and Killian Faulkner. You would expect them to get over Killybegs.

“Killybegs are probably happy to be in the knock-out stage but will be disappointed to lose to Glenfin at home. They are probably over-reliant on Hugh McFadden and are missing Eoghan Ban Galagher, who is a huge loss. But they have Evan Broderick and Jack McSharry there and if they step up, they are capable.

Verdict: Four Masters

RELEGATION BATTLE

Cloughaneely v Aodh Ruadh

MacCumhaill Park, Sunday 1 pm

“Naomh Conaill played both and in fairness to Cloughaneely, they have done quite well, very competitive away to Glenswilly and lost narrowly at home to Downings. They have a bit of pedigree and showed heart.

“Aodh Ruadh were very poor the last day. They threw in the towel very early. It was not the Aodh Ruadh team we know and that gave St Eunan’s a run last year in the quarter-final and could have won. It is disappointing for them. They might have Shane McGrath back and that would be a help. Cloughaneely are without Jason McGee, which is huge, but I think they might have enough.”

Verdict: Cloughaneely

St Naul’s v Glenfin

Tirconaill Park, Sunday 4 pm

Glenfin will be boosted by that performance against Killybegs on Sunday where they played quite well. Luke McGlynn was exceptional and Odhran O’Connor was also good. As regards form, they got the win at a good time.

“It has been difficult for St Nauls with injuries to Brendan McCole and Stuart Johnston and now losing the two Griffins. Few clubs have the back-up to replace players like that. They will give it a go but I just feel that Glenfin with the team they have are getting a bit of form at the right time.”

Verdict: Glenfin